Copper Production in the High Peruvian Andes: Geology, Economics and Politics
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- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
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This page first made public: Mar 21, 2013
This is a multiweek lab case study that focuses on the production of copper in Peru. During week 1, students construct a hydrologic model for the region of a proposed open copper pit mine and consider the impact of the mine's proposed dewatering plan on regional water sources. In week 2, students consider the impact of the water demands for copper processing on other stakeholders. The third week of the case students simulate the planning process for CONAM, Peru's environmental protection agency, to develop environmental regulations for SO2 emissions from copper smelters. In the final week of the case study, students will form political parties and craft a position on how the copper resources of the country should be developed. They will craft a stump speach for the preseidental candidate and the class will conduct a secret ballot to see who wins the election.
Presently, environmental justice is not explicitly addressed in the case study. It is a logical component for the last two modules.
Context for Use
Description and Teaching Materials
Student charge for presidential campaign (Acrobat (PDF) 194kB Mar21 13)